Rebecca Kullback LCSW-C
What is Dissociation?
Dissociation is a psychological response in which individuals feel disconnected from their memories, emotions, thoughts, body, or even their sense of identity. This phenomenon occurs as the brain instinctively “shuts down” emotional processing to shield itself from overwhelming or traumatic experiences. In essence, dissociation serves as a survival mechanism, reducing awareness of traumatic events and minimizing the distress they generate.
The Protective Role of Dissociation
Dissociation is not a conscious choice but an automatic response triggered by situations where individuals feel powerless, trapped, or unsafe. When the mind perceives an overwhelming threat, it compartmentalizes distressing experiences, preventing full emotional engagement with the trauma. While this can be beneficial in the moment, it may later create challenges in recalling, processing, or integrating those experiences into one’s sense of self.
Dissociative Disorders: When Dissociation Becomes Chronic
Dissociative behaviors, though initially protective, can become disruptive when they persist beyond their intended function. Dissociative disorders are mental health conditions characterized by ongoing disruptions in memory, identity, perception, or self-awareness. These disorders emerge when dissociation becomes frequent, involuntary, and significantly interferes with daily functioning.
Common symptoms of dissociative disorders include:
- Memory disturbances, including amnesia.
- A sense of detachment from oneself, familiar people, or surroundings.
- Internal conflict about identity, leading to uncertainty or confusion about who one is.
- Identity alteration, in which individuals may act as if they are a different person.
For some, dissociative symptoms last only a short time; for others, they persist for months, years, or even a lifetime. While dissociation may have initially served as a coping mechanism, it can lead to long-term disconnection from memories, emotions, thoughts, body awareness, and identity.
The Impact of Chronic Dissociation
When dissociative behaviors remain unrecognized and persist into adulthood, they can contribute to difficulties in mood regulation, interpersonal relationships, and managing the responsibilities of daily life. Because dissociation often operates outside of conscious awareness, individuals may not recognize its effects or attribute their challenges to it. Many seek therapy for symptoms such as mood instability, memory issues, or distressing behavioral patterns, often without realizing that dissociation is the underlying cause. Unfortunately, even well-trained therapists who lack expertise in trauma-informed care may misinterpret dissociative symptoms as treatment-resistant mood or mental disorders.
The Importance of Trauma-Informed Assessment
Given the increasing awareness and prevalence of trauma-related conditions, it is crucial for both therapists and individuals to understand dissociation and its effects. Best practices in clinical settings recommend that therapists assess for acute and complex trauma when beginning treatment with new clients. Additionally, screening for dissociation and dissociative disorders should be standard practice when working with individuals who have a history of trauma.
One commonly used tool for identifying dissociative tendencies is the Dissociative Experiences Scale-II (DES-II). This evidence-based inventory can be helpful in assessing the likelihood of dissociative behaviors. However, because it is not normed as a diagnostic tool, it should be used alongside professional clinical evaluation. If someone suspects they may be experiencing dissociation, consulting a mental health professional is essential for accurate assessment and appropriate treatment.
Moving Toward Healing
Understanding dissociation is the first step toward addressing its impact. With the right therapeutic approach—particularly trauma-informed care—individuals can work toward integrating their experiences, reclaiming their sense of self, and developing healthier coping mechanisms. Recognizing dissociative symptoms as adaptive responses rather than disorders of defiance or resistance allows for more compassionate, effective, and healing-centered treatment.